Madison City Council Approves Revamped Noise Ordinance

MADISON, Ala. (WHNT)-Madison City Council Members passed a hotly debated noise ordinance Monday night by a vote of 5-2.

Several homeowners took to the podium pleading for relief before the final vote was held. Those residents said the recently built Target shopping center on Highway 72 was disrupting their sleep due to several late-night loading sessions and other work projects.

The new law will restrict hours of work-related noise from businesses, and also puts noise meters on the shelf. Police officers will now be able to make subjective judgments and citations instead, with officials calling the old noise meter system impractical and often inaccurate. The ordinance’s official wording says noise could become disruptive if it can still be heard more than 25 feet away from the property line of a home or business.

Loud car stereos are also banned under the new law. Fines could hit as high as $500 for repeat offenders.